Chapter 009: The Unraveling Truth

Ava's POV 

The deep forests engulfed us in darkness, the moonlight barely seeping through the canopy above. Each step forward resonated through the still night, the chilly air stinging into my flesh. The weight of what we were about to confront crept in my chest like a stone. Blackthorn’s men were out there, prowling, waiting to make their move, and somewhere among them was one of our own. A traitor. 

Jackson strolled behind me, his jaw tight and his gaze piercing as he examined the jungle ahead. There was something different about him tonight—something vulnerable, almost like the man he once was before everything came apart. But there was also a wariness in his gaze that I couldn’t ignore. It wasn’t only the adversary he was preparing himself against; it was the secrets we’d concealed from one other. 

As we reached the northern boundary, a small rustling pulled my attention to the left. My senses intensified, my body tight with eagerness. I felt Jackson stiffen beside me, his hand going to rest protectively on my back. 

“I heard it too,” he muttered, his voice barely audible over the roar of the wind. “Stay close.” 

I nodded, grasping the dagger strapped to my thigh. I wasn’t about to cower in the background—not this time. My children’s lives were at risk, and if Blackthorn believed he could take them from me, he was gravely mistaken. 

We walked in quiet, Jackson instructing his troops to stretch out and cover more land. Riley remained close, his gaze darting between the shadows. I saw a glimmer of something in his expression—hesitation. It made me uneasy. Lately, Riley has been acting… strange. Always there but never truly there, like he was holding back. 

“Are you sure we can trust him?” I questioned Jackson under my breath, keeping my eyes focused. 

Jackson’s reply was delayed, his voice a scratchy whisper. “Riley’s been my Beta for years. Still, though... Not only you have questions. Others have them as well.

The acknowledgment dealt a blow not for which I was ready. What did that say for the pack if even Jackson thought his closest friend was suspect? For us?

A sharp cry broke through the darkness before I could move ahead, and then I could clearly hear scuffling feet. My pulse shot, adrenaline pumping through me as several individuals came out of the shadows and closed in quickly. The moonlight captured the glisten of their eyes, the roues.

Jackson's order rang out over the space. "Drop them!"

The clearing started to go crazy. I was struggling with one of the wolves; his wild eyes radiated a ferocious desire. He came at me, but I ducked under his stroke and dagger sliced upward. The sword cut his side, and he staggered back, screaming a wounded scream.

From the corner of my eye, Jackson was smooth and lethal cutting through his own opponent with ease. But my heart dropped and I lost focus at the sound of a youngster crying.

Not at all; it cannot be

Looking toward the sound, I spotted a little bundle in his arms slinking through the woods. My blood chilly. That was Caleb.

"Jackson!” I cried and shot after them. "They have Caleb!"

He whirled about, his face one of sheer wrath. "Leave, Ava! I'll cover for you!

I did not hesitate. My legs burning as I closed the distance, I ran after the renegade with all the speed I could generate. The renegade looked over his shoulder and our eyes locked for a moment. He laughed, and my blood boiled at seeing Caleb's scared expression.

The renegade ran left, following a short road into the woodland. I trailed, the sound of my heart thumping in my ears. I wasn going to let him pick my son.

But as I was ready to get right on him, a huge man walked into my way. I skidded to stop almost losing my footing. Blackthorn himself was the man facing me; he was not a renegade. Blocking my path, his amber eyes gleamed with a perverted pleasure.

"Going somewhere, little Luna?" He teased, his voice a deep murmur.

I hissed, gripping the dagger tightly and pushing aside my path. Alternatively I swear, I'll—

"You will do exactly what?," asked He chuckled, the sound frigid and sarcastic. Come right now, Ava. You are not in a position to threaten.

I saw the outlaw vanish into the forest with Caleb after him. Though I pushed myself to concentrate, panic tore over me. I had to pass Blackthorn and do it right now.

Blackthorn looked at my dagger, his smile expanding. "Drop the toy; we'll talk like grownups."

I shot a quick "I have nothing to say to you."

"Pity," he said, lunging at me at predator-like speed.

I swung out with the blade, dodging his blow and just evading his hold. The sword sliced across skin and cloth, catching his arm. His hiss revealed a combination of delight and wrath.

"You've developed some claws since our last meeting," he said, holding his cut. Still no match for me, though.

His second assault caught me off guard and was quick and forceful. The force threw me falling to the ground, the wind knocked me unconscious. Though I pushed myself to stand, pain pulsed through my ribs. I wouldn't satisfy him by showing him myself broken.

A piercing scream sliced through the air, a Jackson signal as I staggered to my feet. The roar of paws and snapping trees as reinforcements arrived came next. Blackthorn's smile wavered for the first time as he looked at the oncoming wolves.

He backed backward, looking as though our time was running out. Still, Ava, you need not panic. We will shortly enough finish this.

He left me panting for breath as he disappeared into the evening. Driven to locate Caleb, I staggered onward. Though my eyesight blurred and my legs hurt, I persisted in following the thin path left by the renegade.

Then I heard a little whimper. With my heart jumping into my throat, I pushed through the underbrush and spotted Caleb curled up at the foot of a tree, his little body shaking with terror. Relief washed over me, and I dropped to gather him into my arms from her knees.

My voice quivering, "It's okay, sweetheart," I said. I'm here. I own you.

His small fists fisting in my shirt, he hung close by. Mommy... they attempted to grab me.

"I know," I kissed his forehead firmly. They won't, though. I swore.

Jackson showed up minutes later, his eyes wild with anxiety. Relief rushed over his face when he saw us, but there was also something deeper there—angue, guilt. He stooped next to us and reached to stroke Caleb's shoulder.

His voice scratchy, he questioned, "Is he hurt?"

"No," I said, although my own voice was wobbly. "Exactly terrified."

Jackson let out a big breath and looked at me. Ava... I—

"Save it," I stopped him off, my tone more severe than I meant. "This is not done. Blackthorn won't stop unless he has what he wants".

Jackson's face grew stiff, as if a fire were blazing within. "We will then ensure he never gets the opportunity."

A terrible determination descended on me as we returned to the packhouse. Blackthorn was closer than ever and there was still a traitor among us. The truth was disentangling, but it wasn't simply secrets that would surface.

Time came for choosing who would be left behind and who could be trusted. And I worried if Jackson would at last get what it meant to really fight for a family as I turned to face him.

Alternatively, if this conflict would split us before we ever had an opportunity to rebuild.

Although secrets were costly, the cost of betrayal would be far more. And shortly we will learn precisely who was ready to pay the price.